By SIMON EBEGBULEM
BENIN CITY-THE prevailing
political tension in the nation
as a result of the
factionalization of the Nigeria
Governors Forum became
messier Friday as the Nigeria
Airspace Management Agency
(NAMA), grounded the
chartered helicopter which was
meant to convey Governor
Adams Oshiomhole to
Anambra state for the burial
ceremony of the wife of
Senator Ben Obi,the Special
Adviser to the President on
Political Matters, Mrs Collete
Obi.
*Oshiomhole
The drama started when the
pilot, Captain James
Manahash, who was already
air-burn with the governor and
his entourage was ordered to
fly back to the Benin airport
five minutes after taking off
over what they described as
failure to pay aerodrome and
landing fee.
The pilot was threatened to fly
back or the aircraft will be
banned from flying. It was
learnt that the governor who
observed the argument
between the pilot and the
NAMA officials, prevailed on
the pilot to come back and
answer the call so as to sort
out the issues raised.
But to the chagrin of the
Governor and the pilot, they
were delayed for over one hour
thirty minutes even after the
pilot paid the landing and
aerodrome fees. After waiting
for such hours a visibly angry
Oshiomhole entered his
vehicle and zoomed off.
Saturday Vanguard later learnt
that he headed to his village at
Iyamho. He declined
comment.
When newsmen met with the
pilot, Captain Manahash, he
expressed shocked over the
incident, asserting that “I have
been a pilot for 35 years out of
which 7 years in Nigeria. So I
was surprised when I was
recalled back to the airport
after we took off. The Governor
prevailed on me to come back
and answer them. When we
got back I was told to pay
landing and aerodrome fee
which ordinarily we could pay
later.
“Even after completion of the
process of payment, we were
still delayed for one hour
fifteen minutes with the
governor still seated in the
aircraft. Ordinarily payment of
such fees doesn’t take more
then ten minutes. This is not
the first time I have been flying
the governor and we have
never witnessed such a
disappointment. It is really
shocking” he stated.
More details soon
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/06/fg-grounds-oshiomholes-aircraft/

Oso Baba, so e get Private Aircraft too. The Minister of Aviation has become a tool in the hand of PDP gangs! Please, no be me tell you oooo

teniyi: Oso Baba, so e get Private Aircraft too. The Minister of Aviation has become a tool in the hand of PDP gangs! Please, no be me tell you oooo

The ongoing remodelling of airports is being funded by loan and must be repaid. Therefore, any attempt to avoid paying any dues or taxes must be resisted by the agencies involved. Kudos minister of aviation